Sunday Stretch: Vol. 95
Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...
Hi Readers,
And a special welcome to lots of new subscribers, from recent events in Minneapolis, Northfield (Minn.) and the Southeast Iowa Synod of the ELCA. Thanks for being here!
Today’s version of the Sunday Stretch is going to deviate a bit from our typical form. I will include below our three readings (taken from the Revised Common Lectionary). But instead of a brief reflection and questions on each reading, I’m going to share with you the fully-written-out sermon that I will be preaching this morning at 10 a.m. at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church in Minneapolis.
A note: many people get the two Nokomis churches confused, which is fine, because both of them are really fantastic congregations with dynamic woman lead pastors! But just for clarity’s sake: I serve as Pastor of Visitation and Public Theology at Lake Nokomis Lutheran in South Minneapolis. Today, I’m a guest preacher and forum convener at Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church! Forum is at 9 a.m. and worship is at 10; if you’re local, come on over and join us.
Something unique and special about Nokomis Heights’ worshipping community is that they’re a bilingual worshipping community: with services held in English and Spanish at the same time. For me, this meant a deviation in my normal sermon practice. Instead of studying the texts and then writing a detailed outline, and revising it throughout the week all the way up to Sunday morning, this Sunday I’ve been asked to write out my sermon in entirety earlier in the week, so that it can be translated fully in advance - and then have live translation during the service.
I think that’s pretty cool! It actually reminds me of when I visited the Arabic Church of Houston, and they had headphones for me to wear that provided live translation of the service. I think languages are fascinating. I wish I knew more of them, rather than pretty rudimentary knowledge of French, biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew, and one semester of Spanish taken at Florida Gulf Coast University.
I think us Americans in general don’t have enough respect for people who speak multiple languages (I know there are some of you reading for whom English is not your native language. Hi! Thanks for being here). And at the same time, we’re often impatient with anything that does not prioritize English first (even those of us, like me, whose ancestors came from non-English-speaking countries).
All that being said, I’m trying something new this week and writing my sermon out completely before I preach it (at least I haven’t done this since early in my internship congregation, that is). I’m going to share it here, and please do pray for me and for the people of Nokomis Heights - and all those who are leading and worshiping together in multiple languages!
Let’s get to the texts …
As a reminder, for this week’s Sunday Stretch, I’m just going to share all three texts in a row - and then share my sermon for this morning from Nokomis Heights Lutheran Church. The sermon prompt for the message from Pastors Kris Capel and Sara Spohr is as follows:
We try to put qualifications around who can speak in Jesus’ name - who is good enough, educated enough, etc. Jesus says that anyone who speaks in his name……but where do we draw the line as Christians? It seems like care for others is the line. When we heal and care for others in Jesus’ name - if we are people of care and compassion, does it matter how we interpret everything else?
Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29
Num. 11:4 The rabble among them had a strong craving; and the Israelites also wept again, and said, “If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt for nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.”
Num. 11:10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, all at the entrances of their tents. Then the LORD became very angry, and Moses was displeased. 11 So Moses said to the LORD, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all this people on me? 12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give birth to them, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a sucking child,’ to the land that you promised on oath to their ancestors? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all this people? For they come weeping to me and say, ‘Give us meat to eat!’ 14 I am not able to carry all this people alone, for they are too heavy for me. 15 If this is the way you are going to treat me, put me to death at once—if I have found favor in your sight—and do not let me see my misery.”
The Seventy Elders
Num. 11:16 So the LORD said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you.
Num. 11:24 So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25 Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again.
Num. 11:26 Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27 And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28 And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men,a said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29 But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit on them!”
James 5:13-20
Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.
James 5:19 My brothers and sisters,a if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, 20 you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner’sa soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Mark 9:38-50
Another Exorcist
Mark 9:38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someonea casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.
Temptations to Sin
Mark 9:42 “If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me,a it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell,a to the unquenchable fire.b 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell.a b 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,a 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.
Mark 9:49 “For everyone will be salted with fire.a 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it?a Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Childlike Faith: A sermon on Mark 9:38-50
You can watch the service online here.
Good Morning Nokomis Heights,
First, I have to share with you that I am feeling a little bit uncomfortable this morning. It has been 12 years since I have shared a sermon that I have written out in entirety before preaching. My usual practice is to write a sermon outline on Mondays after studying the Bible texts, and then continue to study those texts and adjust the outline throughout the week, until preaching on Sunday morning.
Pastor Kris, who I previously pastored with at Easter Lutheran Church in Eagan from 2018-2019, told me that wouldn’t be an option for preaching at Nokomis Heights this morning. She let me know that because my sermon would be translated into Spanish, I would need to write it out in entirety earlier in the week.
I have to admit to feeling a little bit nervous. What if I wasn’t a good preacher when I preached in this way? After all, I know that you have a few immensely talented regular preachers at this church. Maybe you would hate me and throw coffee in my face! I suggested coffee rather than tomatoes because it’s early in the morning and I know that many of you drink lots of coffee.
Maybe I could at least get a caffeine rush from your discontent with me.
I quickly realized, though, that I needed to get over myself. After all, most of the world does not operate only in one language. For those of you here who are not native English speakers, I know that you spend a lot of time adjusting and doing things differently because so much of our American world operates only in English. You have been patient with those of us who only speak English, and you have been kind when occasionally we offer attempts at Spanish that probably sound quite clumsy.
I am 39 years old now and turning 40 in March. It is probably good for my brain to try something new! So here we go …
As some of you may know, besides working as a pastor, I work also as a journalist - a columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune - and as a writer and speaker on Christian Nationalism and religion and politics. I began my career as a sportswriter covering hockey in Florida. When you’re writing stories about sports, the games often finish late at night - and you have to submit the story right away. No time for hemming and hawing over its perfection or not. I will try to channel that energy here, and merge my roles as a writer and a preacher.
This sentiment reminds me of a quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book Life Together, which I happen to always hold in my hands whenever I speak or preach. Here it is!
Pastor Kris shared this quote with me as she was telling me about your worship planning for this service today:
“The person who loves their dream of community will destroy community, but the person who loves those around them will create community.”
What do you mean, Kris? This quote doesn’t remind me of the Church at all … I can’t think of any examples at all that relate to this idea!
Ha. Ha. Actually, this quote instead reminds me a lot of the Church, and of many of us who want to be leaders within the Church. It also reminds me of a saying people used to reference about our denomination’s forebear, Martin Luther, the German theologian:
“Luther loved his neighbor, but he hated people.”
Community is often easier in theory than it is in practice.
Jesus gets at this idea in today’s Gospel, when his disciples tell him that they tried to stop another person (someone who evidently was not part of their in-group) to stop performing miracles (aka casting out demons) in Jesus’ name.
Too often, I might think I have the corner on what it means to do God’s work. I might balk at people who do it differently than I do.
I’m reminded here of my first few weeks as an intern pastor in Las Vegas, just a few miles from the Las Vegas Strip. Everything at that congregation - and in that town - seemed very different from the churches I’d attended before. Even though I’d ventured outside Minnesota Lutheranism as a college student in Missouri and as a sportswriter in Florida, I guess I still expected all Lutheran churches to have a certain style.
Then came Vegas. It was loud and flashy, and the pastors preached without any notes at all! The worship space looked more like a movie theater, with similar fixed seating and a large screen in front. A friend who came to visit told me that my church “was like American Idol!” Do we all remember American Idol, the singing competition show? We did have pretty excellent music at that church, I will say.
Nonetheless, when it came time for me to preach my first sermons at that church, I realized I was really nervous and intimidated. My internship committee had given me feedback after my first sermon that I’d been way too rehearsed and reliant on my notes. They asked me to look up at them. To trust the Spirit.
Trust the Spirit?!
I am a firstborn daughter and was known for being driven throughout my life, prepared and organized especially as a writer. How could I let go and do this?
I have a vivid memory of standing in the senior pastor’s office. On his wall, he had intricate artwork and hand-painted and sculpted masks from a variety of African countries. I was so nervous and ill-at-ease that I remember banging my head against his wall, half-jokingly. The masks all loudly clattered against the wall, and a few fell to the ground.
I felt embarrassed. I did all the preparation I could. Ultimately, I had to let go and pray, and I had to let someone else lead.
The next morning, at 9:30, I would be preaching to nearly 1,000 people. Our worship leader, Bruce, had a tradition of leading a large choir in song and then speaking and praying the preacher into the sermon. Bruce, who had a long career as an actor on all kinds of shows on the Vegas Strip, including a long run in Phantom (of the Opera), was deeply beloved by the congregation and extremely talented. His prayers were always filled with the Spirit and with love … ever since I have never experienced such a wise and Spirit-filled entrance into giving a sermon. Bruce, you were and are a gift.
But Bruce also had a back story in the Church. He and his friend, Greg, knew each other from show business and the Vegas music and acting world. They were also both gay men, who shared a deep Christian faith. When they became friends in Vegas, they spent time visiting local churches. Greg was Southern, so they visited a few Southern Baptist congregations and other places that were not affirming of LGBTQ+ people. At one congregation, Greg and Bruce approached the pastor about being involved in the church’s music ministry. Remember: these two men were professional musicians with a huge amount of talent and experience. A gold mine for any congregation to have them leading worship and sharing their gifts.
But the pastor, upon learning that Greg and Bruce were gay, told them:
“Well, I guess it’s OK if you attend. But just sit in the back row and don’t draw attention to yourselves.”
When Bruce told me that story in 2011, just two years after the ELCA voted on inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in our Church, I was still on my own journey about acceptance and inclusion. I had started seminary as someone who was basically un-affirming and more conservative. But I was actively praying to God for revelation and to open my heart on this issue
When I heard Bruce share this story from him and Greg, and I heard similar stories from our church’s pianist, Philip, (who studied piano at JULLIARD and was a music director for many of Vegas’ most popular shows, including Jersey Boys) … my heart was humbled. I’d been like those disciples we read about in today’s Gospel. I thought God was speaking my language. I hadn’t paused to try and listen and learn the language of the Spirit.
Going back to that Sunday morning, as Bruce sang and prayed me into preaching, I felt like I was floating on a cloud. The congregation laughed and loved my sermon. From that day on, I became a different preacher. I had learned to let go and follow the Spirit. Sure, I still had a lot (A LOT) to learn. But I knew God would speak through me if only I didn’t try and tell God to preach in my language only.
And now here we are today. Twelve long years later, today is the first time for me writing out an entire sermon since that day in Vegas in 2011, when I wrote my sermon but couldn’t bring my notes with me on stage.
Today, too, as I write this sermon - I’m reminded that God’s language is not my language. God works in the spaces between my speech. God works here at Nokomis Heights in ways that those who first founded this congregation may never have imagined. For example, there are women preachers! And the church worships in Spanish!
That is the goodness of a God who reminds us that whoever is not against us is for us. Thank you all for reminding me of that important lesson this week, and to expand my mind about the people and places with whom I might be invited to do God’s work.
Let us pray,
Dear God, thank you for this time together to study your Word and your Gospel in multiple languages. Remind us to look to the world through Your eyes, to see all those who are already doing Your work in our midst - even in different ways than we might expect. Help us not to judge but to join in that work, as long as we are all meeting one another with love, truth, and compassion. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN
This is a special FREE version of the Sunday Stretch. Typically this newsletter is only available in full to paid subscribers. Thank you for supporting this newsletter and the work that goes into it!
An Invitation
A Community that prays for one another is transformed by the power of the Spirit. We’ve been praying for and with each other now for over a year! For the new year, and about once a quarter, I will re-start this space for prayer requests and praises. Please email with your own requests and I will share here with your permission!
While we took an August break, we are still in the church year season of Ordinary Time. Therefore we will continue with some of our same prayer requests. Please do send your requests to add here to the list!
For all those impacted by severe weather and flooding due to Hurricane Helene, especially in Florida, western North Carolina, and all across the American South. NC and Florida/GA/SC readers - check in and let us know how you’re doing and if there’s ways this Substack community can offer you support!
For family and all loved ones of Gladys Nylander, a lovely 98-year-old woman whose funeral service I was blessed to preside at this past weekend. Sending love and support to all who grieve today, especially Gladys’ five daughters, at least one of whom is part of our Substack community. (Hi, Lori!) It was an honor to be with you and your family through remembering Gladys.
For all immigrants and migrants around the world, far from home, seeking a new and safe homeland. Might they be embraced where they go, offered assistance and solidarity and friendship. Please especially protect Haitian immigrants to America, especially under threat of violence in Springfield, Ohio. Guard the hearts of those who hear racist or xenophobic rhetoric against immigrants, and guide American politicians to speak in ways that honor and protect immigrants and all in need.
For teachers, families, students, and staff as they begin another school year. Grant compassion, kindness, patience, and fun for all - with an openness to learning new ideas and listening to one another. May teachers be renewed and respected in the school year ahead, and kids be kept safe so that they can focus on learning and growing! Be especially with all the people impacted by the school shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia, and work to heal all those who were injured, as we mourn all those whose loved ones lost their lives. May we prioritize childrens’ lives over worship of guns.
We pray for my mother-in-law, Linda, my husband, Ben, and his brother, Tim, and the whole Denker family at the death of my father-in-law, Dennis, five months after being diagnosed with cancer.
For my writer friend, Sarah, who is recovering from surgery, and another friend whose husband recently had a kidney transplant (and my friend’s brother, who donated the kidney!) Thanks to God for miracles of medical science and those who work as healers and carers.
For the new baby in my congregation at Lake Nokomis Lutheran, and the parents of the new baby: that they all might experience ample rest and growth and recovery!
In the midst of a Presidential election season, we give you thanks for the leadership of Joe Biden, who chose to step away from a powerful position in order to do what he thought was best for people other than himself. Help our leaders to be guided by humility and wisdom, and be with all candidates for office in the election season ahead: may they speak with patience, wisdom, love, and truth.
I received the following prayer request from Arjan, a reader in the Netherlands. Thank you for reading, Arjan!
A well-known pastor passed away in our country last week. His name is Arie van der Veer. Many people in our country have experienced support through all his sermons and beautiful explanations of the biblical words. May I ask for prayer next Sunday for his wife, his children and grandchildren? And all those who are grieving over his passing. Once again, thank you and wish you strength for the coming week. Warm greetings from the Netherlands
I received the following prayer requests from Bishop Simon Okoth, who leads the Mennonite Church in Uganda. Thanks for reading, Bishop Simon!
I lead the Mennonite Church in Uganda and it is an uphill task. Please pray that God may enable us initiate a static bible school to help train the many church leaders in the field yet with no theological background. Lack of training causes distortion in the interpretation of God's Word written.
2. Pray that God may bring volunteers to come reinforce the work in Uganda. As the scripture says: The field is plentius but the workers are few - Uganda is indeed ripe for evangelism but not many have discovered this secret. We welcome short term / long term volunteers to come work with us in teaching children, youth, women's ministry etc.
3. Pray that God may help us get infrastructure for the church. Some of Our people still worship while sitting on dusty floor due to lack of chairs. A chair costs US$9 and we need at least 1500 chairs across the 30 churches under my watch in the country.
4. Pray for me to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit as I lead the church. I am pioneering this work in Uganda and sometimes feel overwhelmed. Pray that God may steer His work to success despite the challenges faced.
In this harvest season of extreme weather and storms, be with all those in their path. Protect farmworkers and construction workers and all those who work outside from extreme heat, and give them ample rest and water. Provide resources and support to all those who have faced destruction from storms. Help us to live with compassion for one another, and sober honesty about ways to slow the pace of climate change and global warming.
For so many loved ones of mine who have recently been diagnosed with cancer and are undergoing treatment. May they have caring and high-quality care, rest as needed, and loving support of family and friends.
We also pray for all those who are caring for loved ones who are going through myriad health challenges. Grant them rest and relief in the midst of difficult and tiring times. And for all who are grieving the death of a loved one.
For ongoing war and bloodshed in Israel and Gaza, that humanitarian pathways will be opened up to make way for food and supplies into Gaza, that a way forward out of war will be heard by Israel and Hamas, that all those in danger, including hostages, will be protected and set free. For all leaders to prioritize human life over power.
In Gaza, we pray especially for Sully’s loved ones (and all of our loved ones throughout the Holy Land in Israel and Palestine) that they might find protection and safety, and be able to gain safe shelter and access to their homes, or to be able to escape to safety in other countries.
For those who continue to live and fight in Ukraine, that the world will not turn away its attention from the plight of Ukrainians and their stand against authoritarian Russia.
For the United States and her politicians. That governmental leaders might see themselves as servants and examples, and for wisdom and courage for all who serve in government.
For all those who don’t have a safe place to live or enough food to eat, that they might be first and receive what they need.
For all those living with addiction and mental illness, that they might find a way into recovery
For farmers and all those tending fields, gardens, and livestock. For farmworkers and those who travel north in the summer to work under difficult conditions: may be they be treated humanely and granted safety and fair working and living conditions, especially as they prepare for the season of harvest in the midst of flooding and extreme weather.
For all around the world who face persecution for their religious beliefs, especially for religious minorities in places where governments sanction religion-based violence
For Christians to be emboldened to speak out courageously against anti-semitism and to acknowledge how we have been complicit in anti-semitic actions and speech against our Jewish siblings
For governments and leaders to prioritize climate change solutions and not be only ruled by profit or big business
For all the concerns deep on our hearts, that you hear and know and acknowledge, we pray …
In the boundless joy of a Spirit-filled existence, to worship God with exuberance, excitement, love, and inclusion,
In Jesus’ name we pray,
AMEN
P.S. …
A Few Notes:
First, a huge THANK YOU to all subscribers. I get a little email notification every time someone signs up, and every time I get one, I feel joyful and honored that you want to spend part of your day with this community. I mean it when I say: “I’m listening,” to you as well, and please don’t hesitate to share with me your thoughts + ideas for what you’d like to read in this space.
To PAID SUBSCRIBERS: I am humbled and honored that you’ve chosen to spend part of your limited budget on this newsletter. To borrow words from another newsletter I love, you are directly funding freelance journalism with your subscription, and I have to thank you more than ever for your continued support. Our world’s media and journalism is in a state of crisis, with fewer and fewer billionaires in control of global news outlets, and journalists being either laid off or threatened with violence for their work every single day; with fewer and fewer newsroom positions paying a living wage. I pledge to you to steward your paid subscription faithfully + use it to support honest, hard-working, and LOCAL journalism. One of my goals in this first year is to open this newsletter to other journalists, and pay them a fair wage for their work.
THANK YOU for your support. If you’re not a paid subscriber, please consider becoming one.
On free vs. paid-subscriber posts only: My plan right now is that the Friday + Sunday posts, focusing on news + spirituality, in that order, are available for subscribers only (I am going to continue sharing a sample, with a line where the paywall cuts off for our paid subscriber community). My plan is that the Tuesday blog-style posts will always be free, to enable as much access as possible, while creating a smaller and more intimate experience for paid subscribers, who are also able to comment and share in community in fuller ways.
Free Trial: Substack always offers a free week-long trial subscription to this newsletter, so you can get a taste of the Friday + Sunday posts and see if you’d like to subscribe!
If a paid subscription is a hardship for you, but you’d like access to the Friday + Sunday posts: PLEASE do not hesitate to reach out. I will be happy to provide a complimentary subscription for you.